The key thing that defines a ‘classic shirt’ is its iconic status within society, and whether it conjures up images of ‘classic’, whether it be tied to a specific music, or a specific movement.
A shirt that falls into this category is the Fred Perry polo shirt. This is most certainly a ‘classic’ shirt in terms of it’s survival over the last seventy years, and the way it was adopted into various political movements since the 50’s. The iconic status of this shirt is the key reason it is classic.
This applies in the same way as the CBGB’s or Ramones tee-shirts, which are iconic in the way they typify and accentuate the images of punk in America in the 80’s. These are the shirts that should be considered as classic, due to the things they signify and the fact that their iconic status has been solidified even further today in the way that they are worn all over the world.
There seems to be a trend towards smarter fashions amongst top celebrities, that I can imagine the Polo Shirt will be in the public eye for some time to come.
Fashionmen who wear a polo shirt or a rugger shirt have the style that is “In”.